Land earmarked for Alkimos regional centre

3/9/93

The State Government has earmarked land for a major regional city centre at Alkimos, north of Perth.

A site for the future city centre has been included in a proposed State Planning Commission change to the Metropolitan Region Scheme announced today by Planning Minister Richard Lewis.

The amendment, the third in a series of six, covers about 1,630 hectares in the suburbs of Alkimos and Eglinton in the rapidly expanding north-west corridor.

Mr Lewis said that in the future the region would house up to 50,000 people, with Alkimos as a major commercial and employment centre developed along similar lines to Joondalup.

He said the 480 ha city site would include land for a 60,000 square metre shopping centre, as well as land for other mixed business, commercial, residential and civic purposes.

"The city centre site is about half-way between Joondalup and Yanchep and is suitably located to take advantage of any future extensions to the northern suburbs rail line," the Minister said.

"The site that has been earmarked for the city centre is owned by Landcorp and the opportunity will exist to develop Alkimos along similar lines to Joondalup."

The proposed city centre is bounded by a ring road formed by the Mitchell Freeway, Alkimos Drive, Marmion Avenue and Romeo Road.

Mr Lewis said the proposed amendment would also include about 680 ha to be set aside for conservation, comprising:

·         an extension of the coastal foreshore reserve between Jindalee and Yanchep;

·         a greenbelt between Eglinton and Yanchep;

·         an open space link between Neerabup and Yanchep National Parks; and -

·         a conservation area west of the proposed Alkimos city centre.

Further land would be zoned for a wastewater treatment plant, extensions to the Mitchell Freeway and the northern suburbs rail line.

Mr Lewis said planning for the Alkimos city centre underlined the State Government's commitment to regional development and supported the major amendment program's aim of guaranteeing future housing land supplies over the next 10 years.

"The north-west corridor is one of the fastest growing areas in the metropolitan region, so it is important that we plan ahead now for people's future housing, recreational and employment needs," he said.

Public submissions on the State Planning Commission's proposals can be lodged until December 10, 1993.

Further information on the amendment, and how to lodge a submission, is available from the Department of Planning and Urban Development and local council offices in the area.

People interested in getting more information can ring the department's special telephone helpline on 264 7736.

Media contact: Paul Plowman 222 9595 : 221 1377